Simple Thoughts On Promises

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"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." (Revelation 22:7)
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:12)
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

Time and again it is imperative that every believer reads these verses from the book of Revelation in which Jesus affirms and reaffirms that he is coming back.
Are you waiting expectantly for his coming? Are you preparing yourself for his coming? The time for the Wedding of the Lamb is drawing near.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." (Revelation 19:7-9)

Did you notice this part of the above verses?
"For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."
You are a part of the bride if you have accepeted Jesus as your Savior and are living for him day after him, being obedient to his Word and the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says,
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)

The bride is getting ready and so is the bridegroom. The big day is drawing near. Will you be there to meet your bridegroom Jesus? Hope you would be there. God bless.

 

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Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. (Isaiah 51:6)

In this promise, God Almighty affirms that salvation from him will last forever. What he has said, he will bring to pass because of his unfailing righteousness.

Terrible times are upon the world. Famines, plagues, wars and natural calamities are on the rise. There is chaos all over the world. Each moment there are more than 50 wars raging in the world. The economic slump in many countries is leading to joblessness, homelessness and hopelessness. Yet the believer in Jesus Christ has hope for now and for the future. He/She knows that Jesus will never forsake him/her, come what may.

The Apostle Paul asks,
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Romans 8:35)
And then he answers the question himself:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

The Apostle Paul was convinced about the unfailing love of God through Jesus Christ, so he wrote the following to the Roman believers:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38,39)

Your salvation is a sure thing if you have believed in the sin atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and are living in obedience to his Word. Nothing will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. May that thought give peace and hope to every troubled soul this day. God bless.

 

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"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband - the LORD Almighty is his name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. (Isaiah 54:4,5)

Disgraced, humiliated, ashamed, reproached....was what Israel thought of herself. Punished for her sins and unfaithfulness, the nation no longer thought it could gain the favor of God Almighty. Yet with this promise that she received, hope still remained.

However hopeless be our condition, however deep be our sinful nature, God's mercy can still be availed. He is always willing to take us back if we repent and forsake our sinful nature.

Long ago, God said,
Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:20)

God has compassion on you, his heart yearns for you when you move away from him and live as you please. He sends the Holy Spirit to speak to you and bring you back to sweet fellowship with him. He says,"You will not suffer shame or fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated."

Walk with the Lord. That is the only way you can have heavenly peace and joy. The peace and joy that the world gives are temporary. Lasting peace and joy can only be attained when you have a close walk with your Savior.

Jesus loves you and wants to give you the peace that passes all understanding. He promises,
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
God bless you.

 

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For this is what the high and lofty One says - he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

In Psalm 85, the psalmist prays to God--Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6)

Before asking God to revive them, the psalmist acknowledges 4 great things that the Lord did to the repentant nation Israel:
1)You showed favor to your land, O LORD;
2)You restored the fortunes of Jacob.
3)You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.
4)You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. (Psalm 85:1-3)

Then comes 2 requests- restore & revive.

In the promise that we have as the title verse today, God promises to revive. But revive whom? Revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
Lowly means humble and contrite means feeling regret and sorrow for one's sins or offenses.

God's promise stands good even this day- if we approach him humbly and with a contrite heart, he will revive us. And when God revives, the peace and happiness that ensues is wonderful to the person who experiences it.

Are you yearning for God to revive you? He will revive you if you seek him with a humble and contrite heart. Seek him. Experience it. Shout it from the rooftops. God bless you.

 

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The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)

Going somewhere but not confident about your journey? Take the above promise with you. You can't get any greater protection, because the One who goes with you is none other than God Almighty.

Do you fear the enemy who is greater in number? Take another promise.
"Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (2 Kings 6:16)
A host of angels to take care of you as a child of God.

Worried about the unseen evil forces? The Bible has a remedy- Believe this-
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Ezra the scribe who was among the returning exiles from Babylon was given a command by King Artaxerxes:
Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles entrusted to you for worship in the temple of your God. (Ezra 7:19)

Ezra writes: I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. (Ezra 8:22,23)

If you have looked to the Lord, his gracious hand will be on you at all times. He will fulfill this promise of his in your life too.
"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)
God bless you.

 

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Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. (Isaiah 61:7)

Thinking of quitting? Wait a moment. The Lord has a promise for you. He's talking of double portions today.
What's in it for me? you ask. Well, you need to hang in there for some more time to see your reward.
It's no use, you say; all this praying and fasting and humbling yourself. The Lord doesn't notice.
Exactly what the nation Israel said sometime back.
'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'" (Malachi 3:14,15)

Your assessment of things may not be exactly how God assesses it. His ways are different. He knows how to work things out for your good. The Bible says,
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

So forget the thoughts of quitting. Remember, you are a soldier in Jesus' army.
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (2 Timothy 2:7)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Meditate on the promise for today-Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. God bless you.

 

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So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

Are you experiencing the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus? If yes, it is because of the intimate spiritual relationship that you have with him. If no, spiritual intimacy with Christ should be your priority, aim and goal.

Most of us have experienced at one time or the other 'a great freedom' in our beings when we were in the company of a close friend. Easy to share and easy to reciprocate.
We can have a similar relationship with Jesus though we may not see him bodily.

No doubt, Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but he is also the one of whom the Bible says,
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

There are some believers who think that Jesus is not able/not willing to sympathize with our weaknesses. That's not true. Because he went through all the temptations that we have to go through, he knows our state and how much we can endure. Yet he desires that we overcome as he overcame and live victorious lives.

Freedom comes with submission and if one can submit totally to Jesus, a great freedom can be experienced inside us. The Son of God is always willing to set us free if we can submit to him. It's my prayer for you this day, that the Lord may set you free to proclaim his name all throughout the world.

Experience freedom that comes from knowing Christ. God bless.

 

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For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. (Luke 1:31)
These words that the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary left her surprised and confused. She had questions for Gabriel. "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)
The answer that the angel gave her to this question was something unheard of.
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

To convince Mary that all things are possible with God, the angel anounced the pregnancy of aged Elizabeth.
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. (Luke 1:36)

Mary couldn't immediately comprehend the depth of the promises she had received, yet she answered.
"I am the Lord's servant,"... "May it be to me as you have said." ..... (Luke 1:38)

In Mary's case, it was concerning the Lord's birth. Even otherwise, in many stages of our lives, in differing situations, sometimes we may not be able to immediately comprehend the mighty promises that we receive from the Lord, but we can always have a humble attitude like Mary and tell the Lord what she said,"I am the Lord's servant,"... "May it be to me as you have said." ..... (Luke 1:38)

Always remember--Nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)
God bless you.

 

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The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)

Early in our spiritual life we must realize who's waiting to make us fall and who's always ready to uphold us. In the Old Testament, satan remained hidden and we don't read his name being mentioned as much as it is in the New Testament. John the Apostle mentions among many, one specific purpose why Jesus came to this world that we live in.
....The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. (1 John 3:8)

Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Jesus loves you and upholds you whenever satan makes you fall. The psalmist says,
I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. (Psalm 118:13)

The Lord wants to make your steps firm since you have trusted in him.
If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23,24)

Remember the favorite "Do not fear" promise from the book of Isaiah?
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Yes, the Lord's righteous right hand will uphold you when satan tries to make you fall. God is faithful. Trust in him.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)
God bless you.

 

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Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:16)

Indeed, God has prepared a city for all of us who believe in and live for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says this about Abraham & Co. who obeyed the call of God Almighty and believed in him:
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age - and Sarah herself was barren - was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one.....(Hebrews 11:11-16)

Are you looking for a country of your own ones?; are you longing for a better country- a heavenly one as Abraham, Isaac and Israel did? Blessed are you if you are.

There are people who have vast lands in their names while they live on earth, but who live without any hope for the hereafter. What's the point? Jesus said,
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:25)

Our attitude should be like Abraham of whom the author of the book of Hebrews says,
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:10)

New Jerusalem should be our final destination. The promise is for you and me who have accepted Jesus as our Savior.
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. (Revelation 3:12)

Praise the Lord. Hallelujah.

 

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For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (1 Peter 2:6)
As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - (1 Peter 2:4)

We read here of Jesus who is the chosen and precious cornerstone and also the living stone. The Apostle Peter says that he was chosen by God and precious to him.
Also to us who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone and "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall."

Peter emphazises what was written in the Old Testament:The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.
If Jesus is precious to us who believe, we are precious to him too. That's what Peter explains in his epistle.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:8,10)

Every earthly honor and exaltation pales in comparison with the call of God upon your life. So consider the call of God upon your life as precious. The God who called Abraham, Moses, Samuel and many others is the one who has called you to serve him.

Always think of the call of God in your life as the greatest privilege that you can ever have. Serve him faithfully. He will surely reward you with riches eternal and blessings supernal. God bless you.

 

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Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)

The return of Jesus Christ is not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Aircrafts can be put on autopilot mode to run a charted course. Sadly, there is no autowaiting mode for the believer to run the course from here to eternity for there are constant battles to deal with. The flesh, the world and satan, one at a time or in any combination has to be dealt with constantly till the end comes, either when one joins Christ at his coming or when one breathes the last breath here on earth and joins Christ.

Waiting is a difficult period to deal with for whatever be the end result. Waiting can be taxing to the mind as well as the body. People wait to give life (birth), to live (recover from an illness/accident) and there are some who also wait to die(terminal illnesses).

Waiting cannot be escaped from at many stages of our life. Why do we have to wait?
Maturity is one answer. In the case of a child growing in the womb, the period of becoming mature enough to live on birth is vital. Maturity brings on ripening as in the case of fruits and they deliver a luscious taste than when they are immature and unripe. Also, for the believer, God does things with his perfect timing and in the process of waiting he effects a lot of changes in the person concerned.

Have you been waiting for something positive to happen? Is it taxing your mind a lot?
The Bible has simple assurances to deal with that.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6,7)
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
And let it be so in the lives of all who read this.Amen.

 

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He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. (Psalm 102:17)

2 key words in the above promise are "will respond" and "not despise".
Often we despair regarding lost oppurtunities. It could have worked out but it didn't. Perhaps it was our fault. So does there remain any hope?
Prayer is a weapon that can be used to sort out umpteen problems that surface in our lives because of personal carelessness or unwise decisions.

Yes, prayer brings renewed hope because as the above promise says, "God does not despise" and "he will respond" if we come back to him asking for forgiveness and renewal.

The Bible says,
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

God can and will work out better things for us if we humble ourselves, confess our sins and unrighteousness and ask for his help in turning our failures into success.
He is Almighty and can turn things around in a moment.

Are you brokenhearted? Are you crushed in your spirit?
Jesus will not despise your prayers but instead will repond favorably to your pleas. Trust in him. He is your Savior. He loves you.
God bless you.

 

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Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." (Genesis 8:20-22)

Off to a fresh start. Noah and his family were beginning anew after the flood. They all must have had their own share of stories to tell their children and grand children later on. Stories of 'before the flood' and stories of their sojourn in the ark.

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and desire to begin anew or desire a change. If you are praying for a fresh beginning, perhaps a new job, a change of place to live or any other thing, it's good to place the matter at the Lord's feet and seek his guidance. And when he gives the go ahead, it's time to step out in faith.

There's no point in wasting time placing still another fleece in the presence of the Lord when he has already spoken twice or thrice. It's time to act. The Lord is always willing to help us with fresh beginnings.

God strengthened Noah by giving him and his family promises for a wonderful future. His promises to you are also on similar lines. To sum it all up, here's a verse from the book of Jeremiah.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Believe it. Step out in faith. And may Jesus bless you always.

 

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His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3,4)

Why has God so graciously given us great and precious promises?
There are 2 reasons for that:
1. To participate in his divine nature.
2. To escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

People of this world who do not know Christ cannot participate in the divine nature of God. They fall easily for the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Even as believer's we know how difficult it is to stand firm in the face of temptations. Yet because of the Holy Spirit of God who from within us keeps constantly convicting us of sin and unrighteousness, we are constantly alerted.

Participating in God's divine nature is such a privilege. Jesus said,
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12)

The power and holy attributes of God manifests in the lives of believer's who submit to God and are obedient to his Word. The only way to live a powerful christian life is to live in submission to God and his Holy Word and the power of the Holy Spirit manifests in the lives of those who do this.

The promise for today's devotional states that:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Are you part-taking of this glorious privilege? It's once in a lifetime offer.
To escape the corruption in the world, God invites everyone to participate in his divine nature. Will you accept his invitation? If you have already accepted his invitation, will you take a firm decision to stay true to your Savior?
He will surely bless you.
Praise the Lord.

 

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"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:15,16)

God gave this promise to the nation of Israel which thought that God had forsaken and forgotten her. Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." (Isaiah 49:14)

Do you feel the same this day?
Moses obeyed God and went into Pharaoh's presence and declared to him what the Lord had said. The Bible says,
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.'"
Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." (Exodus 5:1, 2)

Pharaoh showed that he didn't care and increased his atrocities on the Israelites. He told the slave masters not to give the Israelites straw for making bricks. The Israelites were angry and poured out their ire on Moses and Aaron.
Moses was depressed. He returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all." (Exodus 5:22,23)

God did rescue the Israelites from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, but in his time and according to his plan. Moses, Aaron and the Israelites had to wait. But finally the time came when they saw the last of Egypt.

Circumstances will change dear friend. Be watchful in prayer. Wait for God. Remember,
God has engraved you on the palms of his hands. He will not let the enemy win. Trust and hope in Jesus. God bless you.

 

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This is what the LORD says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life. (Jeremiah 21:8,9)

Strange but perfect are the ways of God. Here he asks Jeremiah the prophet to tell the Israelites that if they wanted to remain alive, they must surrender to their enemies, the Babylonians. Staying in the city or in own their homes would lead to their death.

God knows what's best for us and where we can be secure. Surrendering to the enemy was not going to be a pleasant life, but they could remain alive and come back to their homes at God's appointed time.

Long back during the time of Abraham, the Bible says,
So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me." "Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. (Genesis 16:3-6)

Hagar decided enough was enough and ran away into the desert.
The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered. Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." (Genesis 16:7-9)

God knew that it was in her best interest to be with Abraham at this period of her life. She was pregnant and God had a plan for her and her son. God gave her promises and sent her back.

Believe me when I say, God knows which place is best for you and your family. Move ahead only as the Spirit of God guides you. God bless you.

 

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For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. (Psalm 9:12)

Do you feel that people ignore you?; That they don't give you much importance?
Do your requests fall on deaf ears? Well I have good news for you. People may ignore your cry, but God doesn't. He hears even the groans that comes from the depths of your heart.

David once cried to the Lord: Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. (Psalm 55:1-5)

I guess none of us would want to be in his shoes. David was desperate. He just wanted out. That's why he said,
"Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest - I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." (Psalm 55:6-8)

When people near and dear to us hurt us, the pain is overwhelming, but as the promise for today says,"he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted." So there's hope for you who are afflicted.

David found strength in his God and so he said,
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. (Psalm 55:16-18)

Be strengthened this day, with these wonderful promises dear friend and always make it a point to cast your cares on the LORD. He will sustain you; he will never let you down. God bless you.

 

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From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. (Psalm 3:8)

During the three and a half years of Jesus' ministry, we read of him bringing deliverance to many people who were afflicted by demons. One of the foremost among them was the deliverance that he wrought for the demon possessed man at Gerasenes.

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." (Mark 5:1-9)

That morning Jesus had sat in a boat and taught the people speaking to them in parables. And when it was evening he expressed his desire to go to the other side of the lake with his disciples. They had to face a furious storm while they were rowing to the other side. The disciples were frightened and they woke up Jesus who was sleeping on a cushion in the stern. They said, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"(Mark 4:38). Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves and everything was calm again.

Jesus had come crossing the lake to Gerasenes just to bring deliverance to this one demon afflicted man. We don't read of him doing any other work there. The people there didn't want him to stay. So he crossed the lake again.

Every person is important to Jesus. As a child of God, you are even more important to him. The Bible says that his love for you is everlasting. So do not despair, even if other people don't give you much importance. You are precious to Jesus. Live for him and bring glory to his name. God bless you.

 

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The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. (Genesis 25:23, 24)

Rebecca had questions for the Lord when she got pregnant. The Bible says,
The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. (Genesis 25:22)
What we read above was God's reply to her and in the fullness of time, what the Lord said came into being.

Rebecca remembered the Lord's words, "the older will serve the younger." Later on as her sons grew up she planned on her own to bring into effect the Lord's plan, but that was a disaster. She made Jacob, the younger son, deceive his almost blind father to receive the blessings due his elder brother Esau. Jacob had to go away from home and returned only after 20 years.

When God gives us a promise, he will guide us by his Holy Spirit to accomplish what he has planned or decided. Making our own plans to fulfil God's promise may eventually result in chaos and sorrow for the persons involved.

God is able to fulfil his plans for our lives. All we need to do is to be receptive to his voice and guidance and walk and act on his counsel. Then his plans will be fulfilled at the right time. Praise the Lord.